Looking for a travel trailer to pull with an SUV. Tow vehicle is a 2019 Yukon Denali 4x4 with a tow rating of 8100 lbs. and a payload of 7300. It seems like the latter will be the limiting factor. Maybe 1500 lbs. left after subtracting curb weight. 2 adults, 4 young kids and a dog will ride in the car (<500 pounds now but growing each year - the kids, hopefully not the adults!). Wheelbase is 116 inches. I'm thinking a 5000 lb. trailer is the absolute max - not sure about length. We like the Rockwood Mini Lite bunkhouse/Murphy bed floorplan, but think it might be too much.Thoughts as to what the tow vehicle can handle or suggestions for family friendly trailers we should look at? We have a Hensley hitch from 18 years ago. (We've moved to a MH; this is for kids/grandkids).Thank you!

The formula I have seen for wheelbase is 20 feet of trailer for 110" wheelbase, with an additional 1 foot of trailer for every extra 4" of wheelbase. From your post I would say 21 or 22 feet of trailer. I'm not an expert on hitches, but an 18 year old hitch may not be safe. Contact the manufacturer and ask them or see if they will recommend a service/upgrade.

You have a lot of power, but suspension and brakes will lower the limit from max tow rating when it comes to a TT.Please confirm the as equipped payload on the Tire and Loading sticker on your driver's door or door jam. "The maximum combine weight of occupants and cargo shall not exceed xxxx pounds".My rough estimate is 6k dry is a good limit for you.

Don't forget that 2 adults, 4 kids and a dog also means a LOT of stuff will also go along. They might even want to take bikes for everyone. Factor in at least another 1000 pounds for stuff. It's really hard for me to imagine an suv pulling anything adequate for that many people.

Comments embedded in redSunnygirl wrote:Looking for a travel trailer to pull with an SUV. Tow vehicle is a 2019 Yukon Denali 4x4 with a tow rating of 8100 lbs. and a payload of 7300. Doubt your payload is 7,300 lbsGuessing it is your GVWR. Gross Vehicle Weight RatingThere should be drivers door label that will have = GVWR, curb, Payload, front/rear GAWRIt seems like the latter will be the limiting factor. Maybe 1500 lbs. left after subtracting curb weight. 2 adults, 4 young kids and a dog will ride in the car (<500 pounds now but growing each year - the kids, hopefully not the adults!). Suggest loading everything up and go weigh it. Axle by axleThat will then give you the true payload left for the trailer tongueand what is left for a true max trailer your TV is rated forFind the GCWR of your TV and subtract the actual weight from GCWR and that is the actual max trailer weight it is rated to towWheelbase is 116 inches. I'm thinking a 5000 lb. trailer is the absolute max - not sure about length. We like the Rockwood Mini Lite bunkhouse/Murphy bed floorplan, but think it might be too much.Thoughts as to what the tow vehicle can handle or suggestions for family friendly trailers we should look at? We have a Hensley hitch from 18 years ago. (We've moved to a MH; this is for kids/grandkids).Thank you!

I’m a three time Tahoe owner and NO Tahoe or Yukon can carry 7,300 pounds. Try 1,500 to about 1,800 pounds. Second, you don’t want to tow at maximum rate just like you don’t want to run your fastest every time you move your body.However, I would have gone to 6,000 pounds of TT with my Tahoes but no more. My Winnie is 5,200 wet and loaded. Watch your payload numbers!

How much can we tow with SUV? | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2020
I’m a three time Tahoe owner and NO Tahoe or Yukon can carry 7,300 pounds. Try 1,500 to about 1,800 pounds. Second, you don’t want to tow at maximum rate just like you don’t want to run your fastest every time you move your body.

However, I would have gone to 6,000 pounds of TT with my Tahoes but no more. My Winnie is 5,200 wet and loaded. Watch your payload numbers!
BenK
Explorer
Jul 28, 2020
Comments embedded in red

Sunnygirl wrote:
Looking for a travel trailer to pull with an SUV. Tow vehicle is a 2019 Yukon Denali 4x4 with a tow rating of 8100 lbs. and a payload of 7300.

Doubt your payload is 7,300 lbs

Guessing it is your GVWR. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

There should be drivers door label that will have = GVWR, curb, Payload, front/rear GAWR

It seems like the latter will be the limiting factor. Maybe 1500 lbs. left after subtracting curb weight. 2 adults, 4 young kids and a dog will ride in the car (<500 pounds now but growing each year - the kids, hopefully not the adults!).

Suggest loading everything up and go weigh it. Axle by axle

That will then give you the true payload left for the trailer tongue

and what is left for a true max trailer your TV is rated for

Find the GCWR of your TV and subtract the actual weight from GCWR and that is the actual max trailer weight it is rated to tow

Wheelbase is 116 inches. I'm thinking a 5000 lb. trailer is the absolute max - not sure about length. We like the Rockwood Mini Lite bunkhouse/Murphy bed floorplan, but think it might be too much.

Thoughts as to what the tow vehicle can handle or suggestions for family friendly trailers we should look at? We have a Hensley hitch from 18 years ago. (We've moved to a MH; this is for kids/grandkids).

Thank you!
Seattle_Steve
Explorer
Jul 28, 2020
Don't forget that 2 adults, 4 kids and a dog also means a LOT of stuff will also go along. They might even want to take bikes for everyone. Factor in at least another 1000 pounds for stuff. It's really hard for me to imagine an suv pulling anything adequate for that many people.
APT
Explorer
Jul 28, 2020
You have a lot of power, but suspension and brakes will lower the limit from max tow rating when it comes to a TT.

Please confirm the as equipped payload on the Tire and Loading sticker on your driver's door or door jam. "The maximum combine weight of occupants and cargo shall not exceed xxxx pounds".

My rough estimate is 6k dry is a good limit for you.
RckyMtnVia
Explorer
Jul 28, 2020
The formula I have seen for wheelbase is 20 feet of trailer for 110" wheelbase, with an additional 1 foot of trailer for every extra 4" of wheelbase. From your post I would say 21 or 22 feet of trailer. I'm not an expert on hitches, but an 18 year old hitch may not be safe. Contact the manufacturer and ask them or see if they will recommend a service/upgrade.

Forum Discussion

How much can we tow with SUV?

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Crossover SUV trailers

Looking for SUV recommendation

Cabover on an SUV

2014 mazda cx9 suv

SUV Tow vehicle suggestions